I have some scratchy pots on a Spector Performer 4 that need to be cleaned. Has anyone used WD-40 Specialist Contract Cleaner to clean the pots on their basses? If so, what kind of results did you get? Thanks in advance for any info.
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WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner
- Thread starter Greg Waldon
- Start date
"Contact" (as in electrical contacts) vice contract cleaner which would be a lawyers job.....
Sure I'd use it. I might follow up with some compressed air (keyboard cleaner) to blow it out best I could . It's fast drying, but I'd want to ensure I got anything left behind out of there.
Sure I'd use it. I might follow up with some compressed air (keyboard cleaner) to blow it out best I could . It's fast drying, but I'd want to ensure I got anything left behind out of there.
Dang predictive text. I need to turn that off. Thanks for the reply. I will be sure to follow up with some compressed air to be sure to get anything left behind.
I’d use the ‘air’(duster)first, to clean out anything like that so that you don’t create any mud when hitting it with the WD-40(or D-4/D-5)spray. Maybe a quick shot of the air to evaporate/dry out any excess. But… never use any actual WD-40 lubricant, the original product.
Thanks. I have read about folks using regular WD-40. Don't sound like their results were very good.
If you check the information about this product at the manufacturers website there is no mention of using it on potentiometers.
www.wd40.com
Electrical Contact Cleaner Lubricant | WD-40
WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner is designed to clean sensitive electronics and electrical equipment for optimal performance. The quick-drying formula cleans oil, dirt, flux residue, and condensation without leaving residue behind.
Two collective thoughts from the TB collective:
Make sure the pots are actually open, as opposed to sealed, or you’re wasting your time.
Use a tiny amount of cleaner, or you run the risk of removing the viscous lube that gives the pots the correct feel.
Yes, make sure you are using the correct product. There are a few discussions on TB about this. I believe
the agreement is to use De-oxit D5.
Make sure the pots are actually open, as opposed to sealed, or you’re wasting your time.
Use a tiny amount of cleaner, or you run the risk of removing the viscous lube that gives the pots the correct feel.
Yes, make sure you are using the correct product. There are a few discussions on TB about this. I believe
the agreement is to use De-oxit D5.
Last edited:
It’s one of the worst things you could use. I can understand the company wanting to get in on the action with their own version of an electronics contact cleaner, but with their brand so closely identified with the original stuff, it might be confused by uninformed(to the different nature of each spray)consumers. Personally, I’d go with Deoxit products.
I'm listening to @agedhorse and never spraying anything into anything
I checked and the pots are open. I will rethink my use of the WD-40 Specialist. I may have to order the De-oxit as it isn't available locally for me. Thanks for the info.
Turn it back and forth a 100 or so times...or replace it.
Start with just compressed air. Just a little blast to blow any crud out of there.
If that doesn’t work, try a tiny amount of D5. The smallest amount you can apply.
If neither of those things works you might consider just replacing the pot.
Not all contact cleaners are created equal. They are formulated differently for different tasks. You need a cleaner that won’t harm the plastic parts or the carbon film of the pot. D5 is the only product I know of that fits the bill, although there may be others.
If that doesn’t work, try a tiny amount of D5. The smallest amount you can apply.
If neither of those things works you might consider just replacing the pot.
Not all contact cleaners are created equal. They are formulated differently for different tasks. You need a cleaner that won’t harm the plastic parts or the carbon film of the pot. D5 is the only product I know of that fits the bill, although there may be others.
- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Happy to see that folks are learning about how to avoid creating bigger problems with using the wrong substances.
The tiniest amount of D-5 possible, less is more!
The tiniest amount of D-5 possible, less is more!
I used Deoxit one time on a bunch of crackly bass combo amp pots. Worked for a while, but slowly the noise came back. Gave it a respray before selling the thing for real cheap.
As others have said, just work it back and forth a million times and if they are open pots you can use air, but nothing else. Plus, research and order some new pots. You may chase the pot demons away for awhile, but you'll need new ones eventually once they start acting up.
Better order some pots too. I wrecked mine with that stuff, on my SWR BB2 amp.
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